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100v 20a 5-outputs meter project:




I've noticed at recent events that I would like to both have a meter AND a powerpole distribution block in the
same place. I could plug the powerpole block into the meter, but it's two rigid connections, and it wouldn't
be very stable, so I end up using a short jumper. I would be much more convenient to combine the two functions
together. Adding more powerpoles to one of my standard meter boxes shouldn't be that difficult?

While I would prefer the output plugs to all be horizontal, I found four PP35 housings barely fit if I left room
for heat-shrink on the powerpole cables and avoided the internal box screw channels. I could add ports on the
side too, but I wasn't liking the look of that, and was going to have to dodge the screw block on the meter board
too. Then I had the idea to just turn the output housings sideways. This allows me to easily fit five outputs
on one side, although I also decided to trim down the housing on the meter, to keep it clear of the wiring to
the outputs on the inside of the enclosure.

I needed to flip the source/load wire terminal block on the meter board around so the wires fed inward instead of
outward. I'll need to recalibrate the meter's current measurement since the solder around the shunt resistor was
removed and replaced.

I originally intended to run flexible 10ga wire throughout the box, but after installing the source wiring it
occurred to me that I don't need that thick of a wire to run 20 amps a few inches. (and it was going to be a pain
to stuff that much 10ga wire in the box) So I ended up just using 14ga wire for the load connections. And since
this box is only intended for indoor use, I don't need to bother with waterproofing.



multifunction LCD power meters (in meters)


pinfox small project box (in project boxes)

01 meter carved, input taped	02 outputs taped	03 meter fit test	04 PP center punches	05 PP punched	06 carving and makin a mess
07 PP carving complete	08 guide tape removed	09a gluing complete	09b gluing complete	09c gluing complete	09d gluing complete
10a panel fit check	10b panel fit check	11a terminal flip	11b terminal flip	11c terminal flip	12 meter reinstall
13 source wired	14a loads wired	14b loads wired	15 done, testing 1 amp

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last updated 02/16/2025 at 18:19:52 by make_www_index.command version 2025.02.14.A